Saffron Walden police station has been closed to staff and the public after a number of officers were affected by chemical fumes in the building.

An ammonia based gas was detected at about 6pm on Saturday, October 10 when four officers reported feeling unwell.

Fire crews and paramedics were called to the station in East Street, and fumes were found to be escaping from the former custody area.

The four officers were checked over following the incident, but did not require any medical treatment.

The temporary closure comes less than a week after the news than the town’s police station is set to stay open under new proposals announced by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh and Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston on Tuesday (October 6).

From April 2016, Saffron Walden will be the only police station in Uttlesford to remain open to the public following the decision to close Dunmow, which cost £7.5 million to build in 2008.

Chief Inspector Richard Melton, the Braintree and Uttlesford district commander, said: “Unfortunately this is the third time in a year that we have had to close Saffron Walden police station. First we had problems with wasps, then rats and now chemical fumes. The station will remain closed to staff and public while investigations continue.

“However, we can maintain the same level of policing as officers can be based elsewhere but can stay mobile and continue patrols by using our mobile data systems.”